Direct Embedded Heat Pipe Apparatus

ABSTRACT

A direct embedded heat pipe apparatus for holding liquids. The flexible hollow-core pipe has an outer layer. The outer bond layer is immediately within the outer layer. A pair of continuous spaced apart heating elements is embedded within the outer bond layer. The elements are disposed in a serpentine path. The heating elements traverse about ¾ of the circumference of the pipe. The aluminum layer is disposed immediately within the outer bond layer. The inner bond layer is disposed immediately within the aluminum layer. The inner layer is disposed immediately within the inner bond layer.

Be it known that I, Yong Chong, a citizen of Canada, have invented new and useful improvements in a direct embedded heat pipe apparatus as described in this specification. This application claims the benefit of my previously filed U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/883,793 filed on 2007 Jan. 07.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Heating costs are of ever-present concern. This concern holds true in heating buildings, floors, pipes, roofs, and a host of other components and objects. Any device which can more efficiently and conveniently transport and conduct heat is therefore of vital concern in a host of industries and applications. The field of hydronics involves the use of liquid carrying pipes used in heating. Currently, pipe known as Pex™ is of widespread use. Additionally, a newer addition to flexible heat delivery pipes is provided, known as PEOC-Plus PE-RT™. This heat pipe is comprised of five-ply tubing. The interior layer of the tubing is PE-RT, with successively outward layers of adhesive polymer, EVOH, adhesive polymer, and PE-RT. The advantages provided by the PEOC-Plus PE-RT™ include flexibility, formability, pliability, UV stability, temperature and pressure characteristics, weldable with plastic welding machine, controlled shrinkage, and economical application. PEOC-Plus PE-RT™ does not heat liquid within the pipe, though, but instead transports liquid typically used in heating. Improvements are therefore indicated. The present heat pipe apparatus offers improvements with a pipe design that incorporates heating capability into pipes used in heating.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The direct embedded heat pipe apparatus relates to fluid delivery pipes and more especially to a flexible heated pipe which is directly embedded with aluminum and heating elements which are surrounded by inner and outer polyethylene layers.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Prior related art U.S. Pat. No. 5,832,179 issued to Kim et al. 1998 Nov. 03 teaches a floor heater with water tube and thin copper electric heating element inserted therein. The device exposes the heating wire to the liquid within the tube, thereby limiting what may be carried in the tube. The device does not provide the further multi-layer advantages of the present apparatus. U.S. Pat. Publication No. 2002/0124995A1 issued to Moon et al. 2002 Sep. 12 teaches a heat pipe having woven-wire wick and straight-wire wick. The pipe is designed for cooling of semiconductors. The pipe does not carry electrical current to heat any fluid contained therein.

U.S. Pat. No. Des. 472,881 issued to Haushulz 2003 Apr. 08 teaches an ornamental design for a pipe heater controller. The controller does not provide the multi-layered pipe and benefits thereof of the present apparatus.

While the above-described devices fulfill their respective and particular objects and requirements, they do not describe a direct embedded heat pipe apparatus that provides for the advantages of the direct embedded heat pipe apparatus. In this respect, the direct embedded heat pipe apparatus substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art. Therefore, a need exists for an improved direct embedded heat pipe apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The general purpose of the direct embedded heat pipe apparatus, described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a direct embedded heat pipe apparatus which has many novel features that result in an improved direct embedded heat pipe apparatus which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by prior art, either alone or in combination thereof.

To attain this, the direct embedded heat pipe apparatus comprises a multi-layer flexible pipe. The pipe comprises inner and outer layers of PE, the term for the polyethylene makeup of the inner and outer layers. Between the inner and outer layers are sandwiched bonding layers, and a central layer of aluminum. The heating elements are embedded within the pipe in the outer bonding layer which bonds the aluminum to the outer PE layer.

The heating elements are arranged in a continuous serpentine configuration which surrounds about ¾ of the circumference of the pipe, leaving about ¼ of the circumference of the pipe without the heating elements. As the heating elements are embedded between the inner and outer PE layers, the heating elements are naked (uncoated) themselves. The serpentine arrangement of the heating elements provides for more than one problem solution. The serpentine arrangement provides for even heat introduction into the aluminum layer. The serpentine arrangement also provides for expansion and contraction of the pipe without breakage of the heating elements. Heating elements are exposed wires at each end of the pipe, to provide for electrical connection. The aluminum layer provides the advantage that accessory ground wires are negated. The aluminum provides continuous ground.

The component makeup of the pipe provides for ultrasonic welding. The polyethylene inner layer provides for carrying a variety of liquids successfully, without deterioration. The outer PE makeup is designed for UV protection. The aluminum and heating elements are isolated from contact with any liquids carried within the apparatus. The pipe apparatus can be used to transport and hold liquids in a variety of heating applications, including but not limited to floors, walls, ceilings and roofs. The pipe can be used in existing heating systems which use liquids for heat transfer and transport. The pipe can be used for carrying potable water in order to prevent freezing of the water.

Thus has been broadly outlined the more important features of the improved direct embedded heat pipe apparatus so that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated.

An object of the direct embedded heat pipe apparatus is to save heating costs.

Another object of the direct embedded heat pipe apparatus is to hold and transport liquids used in heating.

A further object of the direct embedded heat pipe apparatus is to be flexible.

An added object of the direct embedded heat pipe apparatus is to carry a plurality of liquids.

And, an object of the direct embedded heat pipe apparatus is to provide for expansion and contraction.

An additional object of the direct embedded heat pipe apparatus is to provide for ultrasonic welding of the pipe apparatus.

Still another object of the direct embedded heat pipe apparatus is to provide heating elements on 3 sides of the pipe.

Yet another object of the direct embedded heat pipe apparatus is to provide for carrying electrical current without a direct ground wire.

Further, an object of the direct embedded heat pipe apparatus is to prevent pipe freeze.

These together with additional objects, features and advantages of the improved direct embedded heat pipe apparatus will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the following detailed description of presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative, embodiments of the improved direct embedded heat pipe apparatus when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

In this respect, before explaining the current embodiments of the improved direct embedded heat pipe apparatus in detail, it is to be understood that the direct embedded heat pipe apparatus is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustration. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the concept of this disclosure may be readily utilized as a basis for the design of other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the improved direct embedded heat pipe apparatus. It is therefore important that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the direct embedded heat pipe apparatus. It is also to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for purposes of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an end elevation view.

FIG. 2 is a partially exploded perspective view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular FIGS. 1 through 2 thereof, the principles and concepts of the direct embedded heat pipe apparatus generally designated by the reference number 10 will be described.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the direct embedded heat pipe apparatus 10 is for holding heatable liquids and liquids which require freeze deterrence and prevention. The apparatus 10 comprises a flexible hollow-core 12 pipe. The pipe is multi-layered. The outer layer 14 is of PE (polyethylene) makeup with excellent UV tolerance characteristics. The outer bond layer 16 is disposed immediately within the outer PE layer 14. The pair of continuous spaced apart heating elements 20 is disposed in a serpentine path within the pipe. The elements 20 are embedded within the outer bond layer 16. The heating elements 20 traverse about ¾ of a circumference of the pipe. The aluminum layer 18 is disposed immediately within the outer bond layer 16. The heating elements 20 are therefore immediately adjacent to the aluminum layer 18 for most efficient heat transfer and conduction. The inner bond layer 22 is disposed immediately within the aluminum layer 18. The inner PE layer 24 is disposed immediately within the inner bond layer 22.

The bonded multi layers of the apparatus 10 provide for the apparatus 10 to perform as one-piece construction, without delamination. The apparatus 10 can be ultrasound welded. The heating elements 20 are provided as wires, continued beyond each end of the apparatus 10, so that the heating elements 20 may be connected as needed. The aluminum layer 18 is connected as needed to perform as a continuous ground.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the direct embedded heat pipe apparatus, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and the manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the direct embedded heat pipe apparatus.

Directional terms such as “front”, “back”, “in”, “out”, “downward”, “upper”, “lower”, and the like may have been used in the description. These terms are applicable to the embodiments shown and described in conjunction with the drawings. These terms are merely used for the purpose of description in connection with the drawings and do not necessarily apply to the position in which the direct embedded heat pipe apparatus may be used.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the direct embedded heat pipe apparatus. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the direct embedded heat pipe apparatus to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the direct embedded heat pipe apparatus. 

1. A direct embedded heat pipe apparatus for holding liquids, the apparatus comprising a flexible hollow-core pipe comprising: an outer layer; an outer bond layer immediately within the outer layer; a pair of continuous spaced apart heating elements embedded in the outer bond layer; an aluminum layer immediately within the outer bond layer; an inner bond layer immediately within the aluminum layer; an inner layer immediately within the inner bond layer.
 2. The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a polyethylene outer layer.
 3. The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a polyethylene inner layer.
 4. The apparatus according to claim 2 further comprising a polyethylene inner layer.
 5. A direct embedded heat pipe apparatus for holding liquids, the apparatus comprising a flexible hollow-core pipe comprising: an outer layer; an outer bond layer immediately within the outer layer; a pair of continuous spaced apart heating elements embedded within the outer bond layer, the elements disposed in a serpentine path; an aluminum layer immediately within the outer bond layer; an inner bond layer immediately within the aluminum layer; an inner layer immediately within the inner bond layer.
 6. The apparatus according to claim 5 further comprising a polyethylene outer layer.
 7. The apparatus according to claim 5 further comprising a polyethylene inner layer.
 8. The apparatus according to claim 6 further comprising a polyethylene inner layer.
 9. A direct embedded heat pipe apparatus for holding heatable liquids, the apparatus comprising a flexible hollow-core pipe comprising: an outer layer; an outer bond layer immediately within the outer layer; a pair of continuous spaced apart heating elements embedded within the outer bond layer, the elements disposed in a serpentine path, the heating elements traversing about ¾ of a circumference of the pipe; an aluminum layer immediately within the outer bond layer; an inner bond layer immediately within the aluminum layer; an inner layer immediately within the inner bond layer.
 10. The apparatus according to claim 9 further comprising a polyethylene outer layer.
 11. The apparatus according to claim 9 further comprising a polyethylene inner layer.
 12. The apparatus according to claim 10 further comprising a polyethylene inner layer. 